There are numerous benefits of weight training for women. Consistent efforts with weight training (also known as strength training) can help with weight loss, blood pressure, bone density, clinical depression, and so many more great things for your health!
The Benefits:
Weight training is such a great way to give yourself a
healthier you! Here are a few of the best benefits this type of exercise can
give you.
Increases Bone Density:
A study at Tufts University discovered that strength
training not only increases muscle mass but bone density as well. The research
showed that women who lifted
weights did not lose any bone density, but actually gained about 1% bone
mass in their hips and spine.
This was radically different than non-exercising women, who
actually lost 2% to 2.5% of their bone mass during the same period of time.
This is a great thing for us women who tend to slowly lose more and more bone
mass over the years.
Helps With Weight Loss:
While aerobics only increases your metabolism during the
exercise, weight training not only raises your metabolism but keeps it
elevated by about 15% for up to two hours afterward! To take advantage of this
great new find, try weight training for 20-30 minutes, then move to something
aerobic, such as running
on a treadmill, or an aerobics class.
Counteracts Depression and Sleep Loss: Yep, you heard right!
Strength training can also help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer,
a study at Tufts University says. In this study 6 out of 10 people had less
trouble sleeping at night. As for depression, after 12 weeks of strength
training three times a week, 14 of the 16 people no longer met the criteria for
clinical depression and felt better.
Strength training also helps people age more gracefully,
feel better about themselves, and gain the confidence they deserve.
Strength Training Exercises:
Now that you know some of the amazing benefits, I hope you
are eager to get started! There are many strength training routines out there,
so be sure to find one that works for you. I’ve also included a link to a great
kettlebell fat-burning program here.
The important thing is to work out and tone the areas you
want to fix the most. Are your arms a little flabby? Are your thighs a little
cottage cheese-looking? Although weight loss is a major part of making these
body parts thinner, strength training will help you tone and firm the areas you
are looking to improve.
With any strength training exercise, try to stick with 10 to 15 reps, and do these three cycles for a total of 30 to 45 reps.
If you are
looking to lose weight, strength training can help! Your metabolism is elevated
for about two hours after strength training, so this would be a perfect time to
go do some aerobic exercise and get more bang for your buck when it comes to
calorie burning. Below are two different routines, one for at home or at a gym,
whichever is your preference.
Routine 1 (Gym)
- 10 Bench Press– you can do the free-weight bench press, as this will also work your coordination and agility, or they have a machine that helps you to just focus on the weight aspect of bench pressing.
- 5-10 Pull ups-This can be tricky for me and my weak-armed friends but have no fear. There is a machine at the gym that helps you work on your pull-up by lowing the weight that you have to pull up, so you can start low and work your way up. If that does not work, you can hold yourself in a pull-up position for 30-45 seconds.
- 15 Squats– Our good friend the squat! Try doing 15 squats with a kettlebell
- 15 Lunges– Be sure to not let your knee touch the ground, and do 15 on each leg!
- 10 Push-Ups– There are machines to help you slowly increase the weight you can
- Do a push-up with, or you can try pushups against the wall. Either way, work on those arms!
- 10 Lat Pull Downs– This is an excellent machine at the gym that can really help condition and tone your arms.
- 10 Lat Pull Downs– This is an excellent machine at the gym that can really help condition and tone your arms.
10 leg curls– Find a machine that works your thighs and
another that works on your calves. These are excellent leg toners!
Once you have completed this circuit, start back at the
beginning and do them 2 more times. If everything is located in the same room,
this exercise should take 25-35 minutes.
Routine 2 (Home)
- 10 pushups– regular or wall push-ups
- 10 dumbbell curls per arm -use a weight size that feels comfortable or water bottles filled with sand
- 30 seconds of arm circles with dumbbells in hand. Put your arms straight out like a scarecrow and make tiny circles for 30 seconds.
- 16 Reverse Crunches
- 30 Crunches
- 30 second’s planks
- 20 squats
- 15 lunges on each leg
- 1-minute wall sit – lean against the wall as if in a chair with your bottom level to your knees.
Complete the routine and start it over again 2 more times.
This works out should take 25- 35 minutes. For more exercise ideas check out the
14-day perfect booty program.
Have a Happy Workout and be sure to drink plenty of water!
